Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 15 May, 2008 : - - Matt Bromley (Kommetjie) was the standout surfer during the first day of the Lizzard Nandos Surf Pro presented by the Weekend Witness. The event, now in its sixth year, takes place at North Beach from May 15 to 18 and offers a total of R121 500 ($15 000) prize money.

The contest kicked off with the Grade 1 ASP International Pro Junior division, where surfers had to contend with a northerly wind and contestable 1 metre surf. With a total of $5000 up for grabs in this junior division, Bromley was the first to signal his intent with a perfect 10 point ride in his first heat. He also posted the highest heat score in the round of 32 with a 16.25 out of a possible 20.

Scottburghs Casey Grant was also looking good, posting wave scores of 7.00 and 6.85 (for a total of 13.85) on the way to winning his heat and progressing to the quarter finals. 13 year old Mike Venter (Warner Beach), the contests youngest male competitor, did well to advance from the round of 40 with a heat victory.

In the round of 32 Venter was unlucky to come up against an in-form Bromley and Hayden MacNicol (Scottburgh), who progressed to the quarter final round at the expense of Venter and Brett Palmboom (Durban).

Klee Strachan (Winkelspruit), current ASP Africa Junior Mens ratings leader, sailed through his heat and won with ease. Lizzard team rider Shawn Dennis (Durban), who is in 17th place in the ASP Africa Junior Mens ratings, was the first big casualty of the round of 32, losing out to relative youngster Michael February (Cape Town) and Clinton Gravett (East London).

Dale Staples (Cape St Francis), who recently won the international Rip Curl Grom Search contest in Australia, also made an early exit at the hands of February and Gravett. WQS campaigner Rudy Palmboom (Bluff) progressed to the quarter final round without much difficulty, as did 2nd placed ASP Africa Junior Nic Godfrey (Cape St Francis) and Lizzard team rider Justin Grey (Port Elizabeth).

As part of the events over the weekend, there is a Lizzard Towel Swap happening on Saturday and Sunday at North Beach. Beachgoers can exchange their old beach towels for a new Lizzard or Lizzy one, and all the old towels get donated to the Star Seaside Childrens Home.

The second day of the Lizzard Nandos Surf Pro sees the 1 Star ASP WQS Mens division get underway, while the Grade 1 ASP International Pro Junior divisions semis and finals will be completed. The Surfing South Africa Pro Surf Tour 2A rated Womens division will commence of Saturday, the third day of competition, and will be completed along with he mens open division on Sunday.

Mike Frew, Lizzards Marketing Manager, was very pleased that the contest has gone really well so far. After a few weeks of minimal swell, surfers and organisers alike are stoked to get some waves, which no doubt contributed to the incredibly high level of surfing from the juniors.

Keep your eyes on the Lizzard website, www.lizzardsurf.net, which has a Lizzard Nandos Surf Pro section. For those unable to make it down to the contest, this page offers daily pictures and updates, as well as regularly updated schedule, heat draws, heat results and future press releases. The ASP Africa website, www.aspafrica.com, will also carry the daily and current press releases from the event.

The supporting sponsors for the event are Bavaria, Nestle Pure Life Water, and Bokomo. The event is organised by Nerve Events.